My grandfather recently passed away and left me all of his tools, many of which I have already, so I’m going through the process of deciding which hold more sentimental value to me and which I should let go of.

I’m down to the tablesaw. Currently, I own the Ridgid 10” R4512 at 3450 RPM.

He left me his Delta 36-320C at 5500 RPM.

I’ve been happy with the Ridgid but have no basis of comparison. That said, I have noticed it chugs a bit on longer/denser stock. Perhaps the Delta would rip through it way easier with a better motor.

The Delta looks like a tank, although I do like the lift mechanism on the Ridgid saw – not necessarily a deciding factor but handy.

I’m hoping to get some experienced input here. Being the keystone of his shop, the Delta does hold sentimental value to me, but at the end of the day, he’d want me to have the best tool.

I appreciate any feedback.Mike

12 replies so far

I’ve owned the Ridgid, and it is a very good saw. If it were me, however, I’d keep the Delta. I think the higher RPM of the blade gives a cleaner cut, and I dont know this, but I think that speed is possible due to a stronger motor. I also think the fence on the Delta is a little better. I depends on the amount of use each saw has gotten also. When it boils right down to it, the older I get, the more important sentimental value is to me.

Those Delta direct-drive saws are real pieces of junk. I received one for free when all I had was a half-broken Makita job site saw. It died shortly after. I took it to a really great saw repair place and they basically said, “it’s not even worth scrap value, give it away or trash it.”

I got rid of it, got rid of my Makita and got a Ridgid 3650. The 3650 has been fantastic for me. I’m sure I’ll replace it some day, but right now it’s far from the top of my list.

I’d keep the 4512, so long as it works for you. The Delta is not an upgrade.

Thanks for your input guys. I was not aware of the ‘direct drive vs belt drive’ issue. Although space is lacking, I think I’ll keep the Ridgid as my main saw and set up the Delta with a Dado as mentioned by Freddy (great advice). Then I’m not getting rid of a keepsake; the saw is worth more, sentimentally, than the 2-300 bones I’d likely get for it (if lucky). I’ll have a bigger shop one day – for now it will serve well as a supplemental saw in the corner.

On a separate note, has anyone made a cart system for moving their stationary saw? The Ridgid has a great built-in caster system.

I’d keep both if possible, but if only one could stay, it would be the Ridgid. It has an induction motor whereas the Delta has a universal motor with more wear parts. They are both belt drive, which is a good thing, but the belt on the Delta is proprietary and if it became no longer available, you’d have a tough time finding a replacement. The Ridgid, especially given its age, would be easier to get parts for in the future. I suspect the Ridgid has more safety features and is quieter as well.

If you have the room for both I would personally keep both and use dedicated set ups as recommended above. My grandfather died when I was a young kid. He was a woodworker and all his tools were lost in an estate sale long before I could talk. I with I had a few of his tools left around to use.

Keeping a nice old hand plane, brace and bit, hand saw, or chisel is one thing – those are useful, well-made tools that continue to be highly useful in a modern wood shop. Having a bulky twenty or thirty year old version of a job site table saw around isn’t nearly as useful.